Java ME 8 is purpose-designed to bring Java-powered software intelligence to a wide range of embedded devices – scaling all the way down to resource-constrained micro-controllers. Since the release of Java ME 8 a few months ago we’ve seen tremendous interest in the industry in leveraging Java as the software platform to bring the next generation of functionality and flexibility to embedded systems and the Internet of Things.

Today, we are accelerating the adoption of Java ME 8 with a Developer Preview of Oracle Java ME Embedded 8.1 on ARM Cortex-M4 devices, in collaboration with Freescale and ARM.

What is it?

The Freescale FRDM-K64F is built around the Kinetis K64F with 120 MHz, 256 KB RAM/1 MB Flash, running ARM mbed OS and with an Arduino form-factor and pin-out. A popular prototyping platform for both the mbed and Arduino communities, now joining forces with the Java ecosystem.

This release is the culmination of a two-year effort driving a major update of the Java ME technology as a modern embedded software platform, purpose-built as a foundation for new services in the Internet Of Things. We are closely collaborating with industry partners and are seeing strong interest and adoption in Java ME 8 across a number of markets such as wireless modules, automotive, smart sensors, healthcare, industrial automation, smart energy, logistics, and others.

Top 10 Features of Java ME 8

Java ME 8 has been designed to enable advanced embedded software intelligence and increased product value for a wide range of use cases and solutions while maintaining very low system requirements. Top 10 features include:

To get started developing with Java ME 8, download the Oracle Java ME SDK 8 which comes with a built-in Java ME 8 device emulation environment for rapid development plus great documentation to get you started.

Once you’re ready to move on to real hardware such as Raspberry Pi or the Qualcomm IoE platform, download the ready-to-run Oracle Java ME Embedded 8 platform binaries.

Go here for the full set of Oracle Java ME 8 documentation, including:

Get a new perspective on how enterprises may generate value from IoT and what it takes to make IoT work. Learn about key building blocks for IoT solutions. Get an overview of how Oracle’s products, including Java, enable end-to-end IoT deployments.

Learn about Gemalto’s vision for the future of IoT, strategy using Java, and adoption plans for Java ME 8. Find out more about Gemalto’s technologies and how they are used, from quick IoT/M2M prototyping to full-scale enterprise solutions.

I’ll be pointing out more interesting videos and content over the next couple of weeks.

The first instance of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Develop Java Embedded Applications Using a Raspberry Pi” is currently underway.

The response has been overwhelming and we had to cut off registrations and put people on the wait list. So we are now announcing a repeat of the course starting May 19th, 2014 to give all of you who missed it the first time around another opportunity. Enroll nowbefore space runs out again. It’s still FREE.